Inspirational Entrepreneurs

Celebrating leaders who grow and sustain businesses in our region

On our cover, we celebrate the 25th year of the Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards. This year’s honorees are a diverse group of inspiring people with a passion for growing their businesses and contributing to our community. Laurie Wink profiles the winners and their outstanding accomplishments.

Changing demographics and infrastructure investments will create excellent opportunities for the construction industry. Lesly Bailey interviews industry leaders who share their plans for recruiting and training a robust construction workforce–now and in the future.

Hospitality and tourism contribute to our region’s economy by drawing visitors to our natural resources, sporting events and festivals from downstate and around the Midwest. Local officials tell Laurie Wink why hosting visitors is good business and great fun.

Indiana may not have as much shoreline as other Great Lakes states, but that didn’t stop us from becoming a national player in waterborne logistics. One key to our logistic success is the Port of Indiana at Burns Harbor, which imports and exports products by ship, barge, truck or rail–using its water access to the Great Lakes, inland waterways and the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway along with its land access to eight rail carriers and five interstates. Jerry Davich talks with local leaders who shed light on what happens at the port and describe its considerable contributions to the region’s economy.

Also in this issue, we look at reasons behind local health care consolidation. Investment advisors share ideas for 2017 investment strategies. Professor Michael Hicks forecasts that much like 2016, 2017 will be a year of modest growth. Rick Dekker, CEO of Dekker Vacuum Technologies, shares his optimism for the business climate in the region. John Cain and Jack Walton recommend upcoming arts and entertainment opportunities. Jim Jorgensen offers some helpful tips for ensuring that workplace disagreements don’t escalate into a hostile work environment. We meet Leaders as Heroes honoree Linda Perez, who is making a difference on behalf of domestic violence victims. We visit Compton Family Ice Arena and learn how it is inspiring Olympic, collegiate and youth athletes. Finally, Don Babcock gives us his take on the 2016 One Region Indicators Report, which identifies areas for improvement in Northwest Indiana.

Early in the year is a great time to take stock of accomplishments. For us that means it is time for our annual Best of Northwest Indiana & Greater South Bend/Michiana reader’s survey. Please join your fellow readers and vote for local businesses that provide outstanding service and are worthy of recognition. Visit our website at NWIBQ.com/BestOfSurvey to vote.

Troy Linker has over 20 years of publishing experience in print and digital media. Troy has published magazines, journals, books, websites, webinars, and eLearning courses on various topics including reference, business, how-to, children’s, fiction, and non-fiction. He took over as Publisher of Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly in the Spring of 2016.

About Troy Linker

Troy Linker has over 20 years of publishing experience in print and digital media. Troy has published magazines, journals, books, websites, webinars, and eLearning courses on various topics including reference, business, how-to, children’s, fiction, and non-fiction. He took over as Publisher of Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly in the Spring of 2016.

VALPARAISO – Purdue University Northwest, through a generous gift from the Taltree Arboretum & Gardens Foundation’s Board of Directors and Damien and Rita Gabis, is now operating the 300-plus-acre arboretum near Valparaiso long known as Taltree Arboretum & Gardens. The Purdue University Board of Trustees on Feb. 9 approved the renaming of the property to […]

SOUTH BEND — The 2018 South Bend Mishawaka Tourism Marketing / Hosting Grant program has selected 27 applicants to receive grant funding. Grant funds are used to assist qualified organizations with the promotion of tourism activities striving to directly increase hotel/motel occupancy and create visibility for St. Joseph County. The 2018 recipients are Fischoff National […]

MISHAWAKA – Hospital patients with ongoing medical conditions often are unable to receive the care they need because they don’t have transportation to see their doctors or make other necessary appointments. That barrier is being eased for patients served by Franciscan Alliance’s 14 hospitals, thanks to a partnership forged with Circulation, whose digital platform coordinates […]

SOUTH BEND — Visit South Bend Mishawaka (VSBM) is proud to announce the National Club Basketball Association (NCBBA) will host its 2018 National Championship tournament in South Bend at Indiana University – South Bend. The top eight teams in the country will converge on South Bend April 6 – 8 as they duke it out […]